Dissertation/Thesis Abstract

Survey of hearing children with deaf parents regarding their role as sociolinguistic agents

by Wood, Betsy Anne, Ph.D., Capella University, 2016, 113; 10169619

Abstract (Summary)

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the research question: What is the lived experience of hearing adults of Deaf parents who acted as language and cultural conduits for their parents during their formative years? Interviews captured recollections of 12 hearing adults, of culturally Deaf parents, where American Sign Language was the primary language in their home of origin, and who experienced interpreting for their parent(s). Recollections of lived experiences and perceptions of influence on personal development served as the research data. Open-ended questions stimulated self-directed responses of interviewee perceptions of desirable and challenging experiences. Interview data examined through Moustakas’ phenomenological analysis schema, provided a sense of the whole, ascertained meaningful units for psychological concept application, captured distinct descriptions, and composite essence of findings. Giorgi’s three-stage analysis via bracketing, description, and essence articulation through the use of intentional journaling, secondary researcher scrutiny/agreement, along with manual and electronic analysis, supported objectivity. Nuance appreciation emerged using Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological Process-Person-Context-Time model. Composite themes included: being a Child of Deaf Adults (Coda) is a privilege; parental interpreting expectations/preferences were influenced by era, sibling chronology, gender, personality, fluency, and technology; language brokering dynamics beyond the child’s level of comfort or understanding; transient resistance to signing during one’s tween/teen years; influence on one’s own parenting style; personal identity development within the Deaf and Hearing cultural milieu; pride and appreciation for their parents’ achievements; and overt certainty that personal career choices directly stemmed from being a Coda.

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